Siargao more expensive than Bangkok? Bianca Gonzalez laments costly PH destinations

MANILA, Philippines — Bianca Gonzalez’s retweet about traveling in the Philippines versus neighboring countries is relatable to many Filipino travelers.

The host reposted the tweet of former Comelec commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal, who raised the question about cheaper flights in Philippine tourist destinations.

“How can you convince Filipinos to travel to other parts of the Philippines, when it’s cheaper to fly to Hong Kong, Singapore or other ASEAN destinations than it is to fly to some tourist destinations in the Philippines?” Larrazabal posted on X on January 23.

The former official called for cheaper airfares going to Philippine destinations.

Gonzalez agreed with Larrazabal, sharing that she booked a trip to Siargao to find out that the cost is more expensive than a trip to other ASEAN destinations like Hong Kong, Vietnam and Bangkok in Thailand.

“Mas mahirap suportahan ang lokal na turismo dahil ang mahal,” Bianca wrote.

A cursory search on one of the popular local airlines yielded P8,000 to P10,000 all-in airfare one-way. Thus, a round-trip ticket from Manila to Siargao and vice versa would cost more or less P18,000 and up.

Apart from round-trip airfares, travelers will also have to consider lodgings (e.g. villas, hotels, Airbnb, inns, hostels), transfers, transportation, and food expenses on top of the environmental fees in some destinations.

A trip to Bangkok from Manila is priced at P13,000 all-in while the return ticket is at P7,700.

Totoo. Bakit ganun. We booked a trip to Siargao and it is more expensive than a trip to Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Vietnam ???? Mas mahirap suportahan ang lokal na turismo dahil ang mahal ???? https://t.co/i3mgSsJU9G

— Bianca Gonzalez Intal (@iamsuperbianca) January 23, 2026

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